"The power of this novel is derived, partly, from the sharp glance the author casts at the modern Chinese society, plagued by corruption, poverty, and injustice. The dark tale is lightened by the author's delicious humor. Liu Zhenyun is an outstanding storyteller. --Lijia Zhang, author of Socialism is Great!

"Liu's fiction is a romp through modern Beijing that pits migrant workers from the provinces against billionaires and officials, making a wry statement about modern China and a thoroughly entertaining book." --Kirkus Reviews

"An intricate, dark-hearted crime tale . . . The web of deceptions, double crosses, and betrayals Zhenyun builds into his ambitious, complex novel result in a rich depiction of the criminal underworld." --Publishers Weekly

"Readers will enjoy this immersion in urban China and Liu's rollicking-good send-up of modern-day predatory capitalism." --Booklist

"Those who enjoy Chinese literature will appreciate how the novel openly provides commentary on the disparity between the economic social classes and unscrupulous corruption found in almost any society." --Library Journal

"Government fear of chaos is omnipresent in this expertly translated political farce . . . an intimate portrait of the local politics that matter so greatly in China." --The New York Times

"A masterful tale that will make you laugh even as you despair . . . Wickedly subtle satire." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A satirical tale that nimbly examines political corruption in China." --Publishers Weekly